PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers softball team (10-16) dropped a pair of games in its BIG EAST opener against Syracuse on Saturday afternoon at the RU Softball Complex. The Scarlet Knights lost both games of their doubleheader by an identical score of 7-2.

In game one, the Orange got out to a sizeable lead scoring seven runs in the first three innings, including a four-run second inning.

RU inched closer with a run in the bottom of the third on a bases loaded single from junior Kim Hodges (Houston, Texas) which scored Amanda Heller (Belle Mead, N.J.), but it was not enough as Syracuse maintained its lead and picked up the victory.

The Scarlet Knights got its second run of the game in the sixth inning on an RBI-single by freshman Jen Meinheit (Anaheim Hills, Calif.), which scored junior Kate Valiante (Mt. Laurel, N.J.).

In game two, Hodges put Rutgers on the board first as she walked and came around the bases to take a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Hodges moved to second on a ground-out and then to third on a single before scoring on an error by the Syracuse second baseman.

The Orange reclaimed the lead in the fourth with a pair of runs on back-to-back home runs to pull ahead 2-1. Syracuse then followed with one score in the sixth and four runs in the seventh for a six run lead (7-1).

The Scarlet Knights rallied in the bottom of the seventh but were unable to overcome the deficit, losing 7-2. Heller singled up the middle to start the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch before moving to third on a passed ball. Valiante and junior Brittany Loisel (Gilbert, Ariz.) each earned walks to load the bases for RU.

Hodges then plated Heller with a sacrifice fly to centerfield as RU moved to within five runs (7-2), but the rally stalled with the Orange securing the final out of the inning.

The Scarlet Knights will return to action for a home doubleheader against Pittsburgh on Sunday, March 30, at 12:00 p.m.